Overview

The last few years have been a time of unparallelled global change and loss, as we individually and collectively experienced losses of control, freedom, confidence and trust, loss in so many ways.  We've experienced first-hand how much we may struggle with uncertainity particularly when our coping mechanisms prove unhelpful or counterproductive.

The Buddha taught 2500 years ago that because nothing is permanent, change is pretty much guaranteed.  Buddha also taught that suffering is part and parcel of our very human existence and cannot be avoided.  He created thousands of teachings for people from all walks of life, revealing how to work with the mind with rigour and loving focus to find a way of being that is free of needless suffering.  Buddha's timeless teachings brilliantly align with modern day psychology.

In this interactive, practical four-week online series, Penny will skilfully interweave Buddhist teachings with relevant psychological processes.  She will reveal how suffering arises and demonstrate what is needed cognitively, emotionally and practically to soften our automatic defences to embrace uncertainty and loss. She will show how intense experiences around grief and loss can be the portal for grace and profound gratitude.

We are almost trained, certainly conditioned, to avoid intense emotional experiences, by ignoring, denying or shutting them down.  Penny will show how cultivating conscious loving-kindness alongside dissolving unhelpful beliefs can powerfully prepare us for change and loss, building resilience and presence.

The series will not be a didactic, sit back, take notes webinar (although you are welcome to do so).  It will invite your active involvement to engage practices that will quieten the busy mind, open the heart, and develop self-kindness.  We need this to meet our vulnerable emotions with fierce compassion.  Penny will show we can gently release that which no longer serves us.  There will be opportunities for small group interaction and recommended homework between sessions.

This work has the capacity to be personally healing and transformative, enabling you to work more deeply and authentically with your clients.  It is not a program about your clients however, it is for and about you.

The event sessions will be conducted on Monday morning from 7:00am - 8:30am for 4 weeks on 5th August, 12th August, 19th August and 26th August. 

Targeted audience

This activity is aimed at psychologists and health professionals

Duration of access

This event is a live webinar and will be recorded. The recording will be emailed to all registered post event and available for viewing up to 90 days.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to:

• Have learned more about Buddhist wisdom and its intersections with psychology,
• Access tools for becoming more present and accepting of "how things are",
• Learn to stay steady and open when things are unsettling or challenging, emotionally and practically,
• Be better able to engage in personal practices on their own,
• Be equipped to practise loving kindness and compassion when managing change and navigating intense emotions,
• Appreciate how gratitude can arise naturally and assist deep healing, and
• Be increasingly comfortable with experiences of uncertainty, fear, grief and loss.
• Learn to adapt various meditative practices to different situations as well as for clients.

Presenter(s)

Penny Fenner

About the presenter(s)

Penny Fenner is a psychologist and contemporary Buddhist practitioner and teacher in private practice. Her Buddhist journey began in 1974 and has continued unabated ever since. She has been deeply involved in the Tibetan tradition, particularly Mahamudra and Dzog Chen traditions along with Hindu yoga traditions. In her work she masterfully synthesises the essence of timeless teachings with current psychology. Since 1987 Penny has been offering teachings, supervision for helping professionals and guidance globally in the application of Buddhist and psychological wisdom. Her warm approach, enthusiasm, wisdom, compassion and clarity make Buddhist wisdom relevant, accessible and easily able to be integrated into everyday life. She is skilfull in dispelling Buddhist and other spiritual misunderstandings and in assisting people to apply the teachings in ways that are readily sustained. Her work enables healing as well as growth and transformation. Penny has written extensively; she has a library of shorter articles as well as published books, "Essential Wisdom Teachings - the way to inner peace" (with Peter Fenner) and "Healing from the Heart" in the collection "Listening from the heart of Silence" (ed Prendergast and Bradford). Penny is an accomplished presenter, well experienced in running programs and sessions online. Her work is interactive and engaging, inviting your full and conscious participation.

Notes

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle. The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law. If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.